Ice creeper



July 4, 1944. c, B, FISHER 2,352,827

ICE 'CREEPER Filed April 13, 1943 INVENTOR. I C/mm. ES B. fisHER B6. 7: y I

Patented July 4, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ICE CREEPER CharlesB. Fisher, Montoursville, Pa.

Application April 13, 1943, Serial No. 482,919

7 Claims.

My invention is embodied in that type of ice creepers or antislipping devices which are designed to be readily fastened to and with equal facility to be removed from the sole portions of boots or shoes at the pleasure of the wearer. While the creepers are well adapted to be'worn by athletes and others in games and sports, they are especially applicable for use on heavy duty boots worn by outdoor workers, soldiers, and others to prevent slipping on snow, ice, and other slippery surfaces, and to insure a firm foothold on plane as well as on side-hill surfaces.

When not required for use, a pair of creepers may quickly and with convenience be compactly folded, without obstructions or projections, into small size and shape for packing and storing or shipping, and, as the creepers are comparatively light in .weight they may readily be carried in a pocket orother receptacle of the user and thus be available for use at all times.

Because of the simplicity in construction and minimum number of parts employed in the manufacture of the creepers the parts may be produced in quantities at relatively lowcost, and readily assembled, and each creeper is then provided with a pair of standard make of fastening straps which are detachably secured or. anchored to'the creeper, for'replacement if and when necessary.

In carrying out my invention I employ in each creeper a pair of pivotally crossed, duplicate, spring-steel. sole-plates or calk-supports, a pair of standard-make fastening straps, and a pair of duplicate half-hard temper detachable clasps for attaching or anchoring each strap to its soleplate.

In the accompanying drawing I have illustrated one complete example. of the physical embodiment of my invention in a single creeper, in which the parts are combined and arranged in accord with the best mode I have thus far devised for the practical application of the principles of my invention, but it will be understood that changes and alterations may be made in this exemplifying drawing, within the scope of my appended claims, without departing from the principles of my invention.

Figure l is a perspective view showing the manner of fastening the ice creeper to a boot or shoe, and inasmuch as a pair of creepers are duplicates, a creeper is applicable for use on either the boot of a right foot or on the boot of a left foot.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing especially the arrangement and relation of the duplicate straps and buckles, and the means for attaching the straps to the pivoted duplicate soleplates or calk supports.

Figure 3 is an enlarged, inverted. detail view illustrating the manner of securing the crossed duplicate straps to the pivotally crossed, duplicate calk-plates. Figure 4 is an inverted view, partly in section, disclosing the pivotal arrange ment of a pair of calk-plates, and two of the four securing clasps which detachably fasten the straps to the plates. Figure 5 is an inverted detail perspective view of one of the duplicate calk-plates of a creeper, fashioned from spring steel stock. Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the four clasps for each creeper, all'of the clamps or clasps employed being of similar construction and utility. Figure 7 is a detail fragmentary view at one end of a calk-plate, in inverted position, and showing one of the clasps before its free ends are clamped over the opposite edges of a strap and plate.

In manufacturing the creepers, the duplicate calk-plates I and 2 are fashioned from a strip or coil of light-weight spring steel and fashk ioned with down-turned permanently bent end hooks 3, 3; the plate is also punched-tov form a central line of holes 4, here shown as fivein number; and then the plate is hardened and tempered for strength and durability. It will be apparent that the number of these holes may be varied if desired, and the two pairs of calks or spikes 5, 5, of suitable type, are fitted in four alined holes and headed at 5 to firmly secure them to the plate. 1

A central, preferably tubular, rivet I has its shank 8 passed through two registering holes in the centers of the duplicate calls-plates, and this rivet, which is headed at 9, is automatically set for centering the assembly joint, and forms a free pivotal joint at the center of the duplicate calk plates I and 2. a On each calk-plate are mounted a pair of duplicate, oblong-shaped,strap-clips or clasps l0, having upper flat folded ends H, H. These clasps are fashioned in quantities by a suitable machine tool from half-hard temper round-edge metal stock, and bent or shaped for a forced tight fit under the end hooks 3, 3, of the plates. In addition to the tight fit of these clasps under the hooks 3, it will be noted that the four calks at the outer ends of the crossed calk-plates are in position to prevent longitudinal movement of the' clasps toward the pivotal centers of the creep displacement under the hooked end 3 of a calkplate. The ends II, II of the clasps Ii} are clamped down upon the upper faces of the two crossed straps l2 and I5 to firmly anchor each strap at two spaced points to each of the calkplates. As shown the duplicate straps l2 and I5 are standard makes complementary to the standardized calk-plates as to width so that they may be firmly retained by the surrounding clasps.

The straps, in suitable lengths, are crossed complementary to and parallel with the calkplates, and while each strap is firmly anchored at the two opposite ends of a plate, the intermediate crossed portions of the straps are drawn under only a slight tension. These crossed intermediate portions of the straps on the upper faces of the pivoted plates form a cushion or pad between the rubber or leather boot-sole and the metal calk-plates to relieve wear that would occur, especially with contact of the metal plates against the bottoms of rubber soles.

The straps for each creeper are duplicates, so that a selection of a special strap fora plate is unnecessary, and in quantity production the duplicate straps may be cut in proper lengths, and the fasteners and protectors may be applied with facility and dispatch.

Strap I2 is equipped with a standard make of buckle I3, and a' metal protecting clip Id, and the duplicate strap I5 is also provided with a similar buckle l6, and protecting end-clip ll.

In Figure 2 it will be seen that the duplicate straps, except for the intermediate crossed portions between clasps 51!, I0, are especially arranged so that the buckle !5 of strap I5 has a short section S between the buckle and a clasp, while the headed end [4 of the strap i2 has a complementary short section These two short sections S and S, with buckle l5, form the front strap, which extends transversely of the boot as shown in Figure 1. The strap l2 also has a long section L between its buckle l3 and a clasp, and the strap l5 likewise has a complementary long section L between it free end or clip-head l1 and a clasp. These sections L and L and buckle l3 form the rear or ankle strap for the creeper.

It will be understood that although the creeper is alined centrally of the longitudinal line of the bottom of the sole of the boot, the creeper may be located toward the toe of the boot, or toward the instep of the boot, as desired, but the creeper is always located under the tread portion of the sole of the boot, and within the bounds of the opposite edges of the sole of the boot.

The two short sections 5 and S with buckle l6, may, if desired, form a permanent front transverse loop, which, after initial adjustment and buckling of the sections may with facility be slipped by the wearer over the toe of his boot as the crossed plates are adjusted against the bottom of the boot-sole.

Then the two long sections L and L of the straps, anchored to the two rear ends of the crossed plates, are drawn upwardly from under the opposite side edges of the sole, and backwardly over the upper part of the boot-heel. The buckle end 13 and the clip end I! are then passed around back of the ankle from opposite sides, bringing the buckle to the front of the ankle. The fastening is completed by slipping the end I! of section L through the buckle.

In Figure 1 it will be seen that the strap section L, asflwell as the invisible section L, are stretched taut along the opposite sides of the backward pull on the rear ends of the creeper f-beneath the sole. This positive pull, which tends to draw the rear ends of the calk-plates together, is resisted 'by the transversely fastened front strapjoining the front ends of the creeper, so that the. front strap frictionally engaging the shoe-portion which it surrounds, and the ankle strap, firmly hold the creeper in desired position against both lateral and longitudinal displace;-

ment.

By relative tightening or loosening of the front and ankle straps, the crossed plates may be ad,- justed as to ang-ularity between-a cross shape and an X-shape to fit a Wide range in the different sizes and shapes of boots or high shoes. Thus the front ends of plates l and 2 and the rear ends of these plates may be swung into close proximity, they may be adjusted to a wide arrangement as in Figure 3, or the plates may be adjusted to 9 sition between these two extremes before the creeper is placed under the sole; and in all cases the ankle straps L and L exert a positive pull on the plates tending to swing adjoining ends of the plates together which is resisted by the transversely arranged front strap. In this manner the front strap anchored to the front ends of the plates, after being buckled, is placed and there'- after held under additional tension by the positive pull of the ankle strap, and the plates, free from obstructions, projections, or positive engagement with the sole, are held firmly against both longitudinal and lateral movement by the two straps.

Should a strap break, or become worn to excess, the parts may be removed by first opening the ends II, H of two clasps, the ends being turned back or outwardly in Figure 2 to release the straps, as indicated in the inverted position of the clasp in Figure '7. After removal of the worn strap another strap is substituted, adjusted to provide a long section "and a-short section,

, and then the ends H of the clasps Ill, [0 are turned back to original position and clamped to anchor the strap at two points to the calk-plate.

The hook-ends 3 at the under side of a calkplate clamp the bodies of the clasps and form permanent holders for the clasps l0, while the ends H, ii of the clasp form detachable clamps in close engagement withthe upper faces of the intermediate portions of the straps.

Various changes and alterations may be made in the exemplifying drawing, which forms one complete physical embodiment of my'invention, without departing from the principles of the invention. In some instances the calks'or' spikes 5, 5, may be fashioned integral with the calkplates, in triangular shape, by punching or cutting two sides of a triangle in the plate, and then bending down the third side of the triangl to form the calks,

It will be understood that the fastening straps may be of any suitable material thatis adapted to be held by the clasps, as for instance the fastening'straps may be of raw-hide, laces, and in emergencies cloth strips may be cut and folded to size and tied or otherwise secured in place.

However, the use of commercial web straps,-or

commercial leather straps, with commercial or standard buckles, are preferred.

While the creepers are adapted for use on either right or left boots, it ispreferable that the buckles be arranged on the strap ends at the outer sides of the boots. Thusfor convenience, the buckles l3 and I6 are arranged at the left or outer side of the left boot, and simliar buckles are arranged at the outer or right side of the right boot.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: I r

1. In an ice creeper, the combination with a pair of pivotally crossed calk-plates, and a pair of crossed fastening straps complementary to said plates, of anchoring means adjacent the four ends of the plates for said straps, and holders on said plates for retaining the'anchoring means in place. r

2. In an ice creeper, the combination with a pair of pivotally crossed calk plates, and a pair of crossed fastening straps complementary to said plates, of anchoring means comprising a clasp adjacent each end of each calk-plate for said straps, and means for rigidly holding said clasp around a plate and strap.

3. In an ice creeper, the combination with a pair of pivotally crossed calk plates each having down-turned end hooks forming holders, and a pair of complementary crossed fastening straps,-

of anchoring means for said straps comprising a clasp located adjacent the end of a calk-plate and secured in a holder, and said clasp surrounding a portion of a calk-plate and complementary strap. v

4. In an ice creeper, the combination with a pair of crossed, pivoted calk-plates each having integral end-holders and a clasp rigidly mounted in each holder, of a pair of complementary crossed straps, said clasps surrounding a portion of a plate and strap and each clasp having openable ends,

5. In an ice creeper, the combination with a pair of pivotally crossed calk-plates, of a pair of complementary crossed straps, and clamping means at the four ends of said plates for rigidly anchoring the straps to the plates, the intermediate crossed portions of said straps forming a pad'or cushion on the upper faces of said plates.

6. In an ice creeper, the combination with a T pair of pivotally crossed, duplicate calk plates, of

a pair of duplicate complementary crossed fastening straps, and means at each of the four ends of the plates for rigidly anchoring a strap to a plate, whereby the crossed intermediate portions of said straps form a cushion or pad on the upper faces of the plates,

7. In an ice creeper, the combination with a pair of pivotally crossed, duplicate calk-plates, of a pair of duplicate complementary crossed straps, means at each of the four ends of the plates for rigidly anchoring a strap to a plate, one of said straps having a short buckle-section and the other strap having a short section for engagement with said buckle'to form a front strap, one of said straps also having'a long buckle-section and the other strap also having a long section for engagement with said buckle to form an ankle strap.

CHARLES B. FISHER. 

